With the departure of Everett Teaford and Dustin Evans – Georgia Southern’s top two starting pitchers from a year ago – the Eagles knew “Who’s on the mound?” would be a popular question in 2007.
While the starting rotation hasn’t been determined, Eagle coach Rodney Hennon has been encouraged by what he’s seen so far.
The biggest bright spot came in last weekend’s series finale at Hawaii when true freshman right-hander Brian Wilkerson carried a no-hitter into the sixth. Drew Murray, a sophomore right-hander who transferred from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, also showed promise his GSU debut, striking out seven in four innings.
They’ll look to keep the momentum going this weekend when the Eagles (1-2) host No. 10 Georgia Tech (0-0) for a two-game series beginning this afternoon at 1:30. Murray will get the start today against Tech lefthander David Duncan, while Wilkerson will face lefthander Ryan Turner in Sunday’s noon game.
“I don’t thinking there’s any doubt that starting pitching is probably the question mark coming into the season for our club,” Hennon said. “We feel like we’ve got some quality guys that can do the job. It’s just a matter of seeing how it’s going to play out as far as (the weekend rotation) - but at one time we were trying to figure it out when Teaford, Evans and those guys were younger.”
Senior left-hander Josh Lairsey started the season opener and will work from the bullpen this weekend. Lairsey, who allowed four earned runs in 4 1/3 innings in his first start this year, said he likes what he’s seen of Murray and Wilkerson so far.
“Right now both of those guys are taking the ball and going right at guys,” Lairsey said. “The best thing is their attitudes on the mound. They are able to brush things off when mistakes happen behind them, and that’s all you can ask for out of a pitcher.”
As for himself, Lairsey is looking to do whatever he can to help.
“My goals for this year are to get our program back on a winning note and to do all of the things the coaches ask me, from physical performance to setting examples and trying to lead these young guys in the right direction,” Lairsey said.
Hennon, who was pleased with his bullpen last weekend, is hoping the entire pitching staff can learn from and build on Wilkerson’s performance.
“He got in a nice rhythm out there, had a good feel for all three of his pitches and threw a lot of strikes – that’s what pitching is all about,” Hennon said.
Pitching coach Brett Lewis wasn’t surprised by Wilkerson’s early success.
“It was a great confidence boost for him starting the season, being a freshman and getting those nerves out of the way,” Lewis said. “Honestly, when he came in this fall, we felt that was the stuff he was capable of giving us out there. He throws a ton of strikes with all three pitches.”
How the other pitchers throw out of the bullpen during the weekend will play a role in determining the mid-week starters, which could be junior Auburn transfer Burt Barto, junior Aaron Eubanks, true freshman Charlie Strohecker or John Ducey, a senior transfer from Armstrong.
Hennon said Hawaii was a great experience for the team, and he saw plenty of positives to build on.
“We got to play a lot of guys and a lot of our newcomers went out and showed a lot of poise in a great venue out there,” Hennon said. “I think it better prepared us not only for this weekend but the rest of the season that’s in front of us.”
The Eagles will be facing a Yellow Jacket team that returns five starters and 11 pitchers from last year’s team, which advanced to the College World Series for the third time in Georgia Tech history.
“They are going to be a good offensive program – they are every year,” Lairsey said. “If we can get on them early, we’ll have a chance to win both games. It’ll come down to key pitches, defensive plays and timely hitting.”
Said Lewis: “Tech is a little young position-player wise, but there are still going to be a very talented ballclub. In the past when they’ve been a little bit young, they’ve had some of their best teams that have taken them to the World Series or deep into the postseason.”
While the starting rotation hasn’t been determined, Eagle coach Rodney Hennon has been encouraged by what he’s seen so far.
The biggest bright spot came in last weekend’s series finale at Hawaii when true freshman right-hander Brian Wilkerson carried a no-hitter into the sixth. Drew Murray, a sophomore right-hander who transferred from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, also showed promise his GSU debut, striking out seven in four innings.
They’ll look to keep the momentum going this weekend when the Eagles (1-2) host No. 10 Georgia Tech (0-0) for a two-game series beginning this afternoon at 1:30. Murray will get the start today against Tech lefthander David Duncan, while Wilkerson will face lefthander Ryan Turner in Sunday’s noon game.
“I don’t thinking there’s any doubt that starting pitching is probably the question mark coming into the season for our club,” Hennon said. “We feel like we’ve got some quality guys that can do the job. It’s just a matter of seeing how it’s going to play out as far as (the weekend rotation) - but at one time we were trying to figure it out when Teaford, Evans and those guys were younger.”
Senior left-hander Josh Lairsey started the season opener and will work from the bullpen this weekend. Lairsey, who allowed four earned runs in 4 1/3 innings in his first start this year, said he likes what he’s seen of Murray and Wilkerson so far.
“Right now both of those guys are taking the ball and going right at guys,” Lairsey said. “The best thing is their attitudes on the mound. They are able to brush things off when mistakes happen behind them, and that’s all you can ask for out of a pitcher.”
As for himself, Lairsey is looking to do whatever he can to help.
“My goals for this year are to get our program back on a winning note and to do all of the things the coaches ask me, from physical performance to setting examples and trying to lead these young guys in the right direction,” Lairsey said.
Hennon, who was pleased with his bullpen last weekend, is hoping the entire pitching staff can learn from and build on Wilkerson’s performance.
“He got in a nice rhythm out there, had a good feel for all three of his pitches and threw a lot of strikes – that’s what pitching is all about,” Hennon said.
Pitching coach Brett Lewis wasn’t surprised by Wilkerson’s early success.
“It was a great confidence boost for him starting the season, being a freshman and getting those nerves out of the way,” Lewis said. “Honestly, when he came in this fall, we felt that was the stuff he was capable of giving us out there. He throws a ton of strikes with all three pitches.”
How the other pitchers throw out of the bullpen during the weekend will play a role in determining the mid-week starters, which could be junior Auburn transfer Burt Barto, junior Aaron Eubanks, true freshman Charlie Strohecker or John Ducey, a senior transfer from Armstrong.
Hennon said Hawaii was a great experience for the team, and he saw plenty of positives to build on.
“We got to play a lot of guys and a lot of our newcomers went out and showed a lot of poise in a great venue out there,” Hennon said. “I think it better prepared us not only for this weekend but the rest of the season that’s in front of us.”
The Eagles will be facing a Yellow Jacket team that returns five starters and 11 pitchers from last year’s team, which advanced to the College World Series for the third time in Georgia Tech history.
“They are going to be a good offensive program – they are every year,” Lairsey said. “If we can get on them early, we’ll have a chance to win both games. It’ll come down to key pitches, defensive plays and timely hitting.”
Said Lewis: “Tech is a little young position-player wise, but there are still going to be a very talented ballclub. In the past when they’ve been a little bit young, they’ve had some of their best teams that have taken them to the World Series or deep into the postseason.”
